Any known problems on small outboards 2 hp. to 5 hp from 2004 untill the later models.
thejazzpianoma,
Jun 14, 9:23am
Don't even think about buying a Chinese one, they are complete and utter disposable junk. Go with one of the traditional brands that has been well serviced with no serious corrosion evident. Do this even if it means getting a much older used outboard vs a new Chinese one.
cammey,
Jun 14, 9:40am
One word to look for when buying : YAMAHA.
I go fishing lots, and well offshore - 100km + and several days/nights offshore.
I have had different motors and and have had varying degrees of trouble with all of them, except Yamahas.
I currently have an F350, and its the best motor I have ever had.
. which is good, as its the first boat I have gone offshore in with only one outboard. ;-)
sr2,
Jun 14, 9:43am
Have to say that although I'm a Honda 4 stroke fan (still in love with my 40hp) it's foolish to discount all Chinese manufactured outboards. There's a company in Silverdale called Aakron that import their own branded small Chinese outboards (just search Aakron on Trademe). They've made a bit of a name for themselves with with great after sales service, I know a few guys who have been using them on tenders small inflatables, and swear by them for reliability and value for money. http://www.aakronboats.co.nz/store/c93/Aakron_Outboards.html
newtec1,
Jun 14, 9:48am
I don't intend going offshore with a 2hp to 5 hp,did you miss that bit.
cammey,
Jun 14, 9:50am
Oops sorry.
But quality is quality. You can't hop out and push. I would still strongly recommend you scrimp on the paint job, and chuck the money at the motor.
sr2,
Jun 14, 9:52am
LOL; if I had a 350 hp Outboard hanging off the back of my boat (only 310 hp more than my little Honda) I'd never miss a chance to crow about it as well!
m16d,
Jun 14, 10:00am
The 2 horse Honda is an absolute gem. I had mine for years,then gave it to the grandkids. they have a ball with it.
To go 100KM+ OFFSHORE WITH A SINGLE OUT BOARD YOU ARE MAD ?
cammey,
Jun 14, 11:01am
LOL maybe.
But people think nothing of going offshore in a boat with only one motor if its inboard.
I think the best of the modern outboards is at least as reliable as an inboard.
Id cheerfully fly in a plane with one engine. Even a helicopter. You can't push them either. And you can't just sit and wait for a tow either. At least I can do that in a boat ;-)
But I must admit, its the first boat I have taken offshore with only one outboard. And you do hear every little change of beat in the engine sound !
elect70,
Jun 14, 12:57pm
cant beat the seagulls , simple reliable rope start , go forever thats why dont see many for sale ,ideal for dingy . Are they still made ?
brapbrap8,
Jun 14, 1:37pm
I have a low hours Honda 5hp free to a good home, pick up is from the bottom of the Whangamata harbour channel where it has been for 10 years or so. Ooooppps!
newtec1,
Jun 14, 2:07pm
Mid 2000 mercs 2.5,are they made by tohatsu ,any feed back on them.
newtec1,
Jun 14, 2:09pm
You can beat seagulls.They were a very basic motor and rather heavier than todays brands.
delerium1,
Jun 14, 2:54pm
Does it have flywheel and corrosion issues like the American ones? See the hull truth
cammey,
Jun 14, 3:19pm
I have had no issues with it whatsoever, except a few tears when I watch the fuel gauge. It burns around 1 litre+ per km. But that's better than my last boat.
Nonetheless, it will be my last outboard.
mm12345,
Jun 14, 4:40pm
My 5HP Yamaha (used on inflatable tender) crapped out last summer. Corroded through the head. They have a one piece barrel/head - replacements are available - but about US$500 - so I dumped the motor (sold for parts on TM). The 5HP Yamaha would easily get the tender up on the plane. I borrowed a 5HP Aakron - which looks identical to the Yamaha - to try out. There is no way it had the guts to get the tender on the plane. IMO - there's no way it was 5HP. The castings and everything about it looks crappy to me. I don't like them (Aakron). Fit and finish of some of the other small Yamaha knock-offs is better - Parsun would be my pick - but (and it's a big but) the difference between Parsun price and the genuine Yamaha and Tohatsu designs they knock off is only a couple of hundred $ - and I'd rather pay for the real thing. My recommendation for simple 2-stroke dinghy motor is Tohatsu 9.8. 2 cylinder engine - so smoother than a Yamaha 5, twice the HP - but weighs the same (about 23kg IIRC - lift with one hand - much less than a ~10hp yammy). I don't own one - but everybody I know who has owned Tohatsu swear by them.
mm12345,
Jun 14, 4:47pm
Their strength (air cooling) is also their weakness. They are very freaking noisy compared with water-cooled 2 and 4 strokes of similar HP.
unideck,
Jun 14, 7:23pm
We went through the whole Yamaha, Honda, made in China outboards last year for my young fellas inflatable. Ended up buying a new Mercury 8hp which is superb, only regret is its a tad underpowered for his boat. Buying a new 10hp for him now. Best advise I can give after doing our research is to buy a reputable brand with top backup service nationwide. Every other brand failed at some juncture but hey, take a pun and buy a Chinese made "replica" but don't count on getting parts years down the track.
unclejake,
Jun 14, 9:09pm
I have some pretty good Chinese gear (including some tools and a moderately expensive home stereo system), but the only way to make an outboard cheaper than all the others (that are already made in low cost labour countries) is to use cheaper materials.
Personally - I wouldn't buy a Parsun, Sail or similar brand budget outboard as I have no confidence that the alloy, or any of the fasteners, are any good. My mate's wife had a brand new Kia Sportage in 2000 and it used to spit spark plugs out of the head due to the utter crud they cast the head out of.
The only thing much worse than your boat engine failing is an aircraft (or helicopter) engine problem. :-)
unideck,
Jun 14, 10:43pm
Aint that the truth. I bought the Merc brand as its for my teenager son who is out fishing with his buddys, last thing I need is a distress call hence why I bought brand new, cost was irrelevant. I too have a couple of Chinese tools and some are "OK" like Japan was in the 70s they just need time to catch up.
newtec1,
Jun 15, 7:36am
So i should chase up a seagull then. ? Too late i bought a 2.5 merc,light as and very quiet,haven't tried it yet but presume it will handle a 2.7 inflatable.
unideck,
Jun 15, 9:15am
That will be fine to potter about in but no way powerful enough to dare go beyond 50m of the beach :) My sons boat is 3.5m inflatable and just manages to get moving with two adults in, add a third and forget it. Fingers crossed for you that its big enough ;)
gmphil,
Jun 15, 9:31am
yup good motor the merc! but I upgraded to a 15hp mariner on my tinny as with me in my son the 2hp that came with it didn't have much grunt ,went well and light as but felt dangerous . to go out too far as said above now with 15 man different beast lol hard keep straight and cant get full noise scared I flip
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